Be a Success at a Job Fair

Job fairs are designed for companies to meet and screen out potential job candidates. The steps listed here will help you improve your odds of not being rejected and your chances for a second interview will increase dramatically.

Steps

  1. Pre-register. It's always a good idea to pre-register for the job fair. The main idea behind this is that employers get a chance to pre-screen potential applicants and note those specific people they want to meet at the fair.
  2. It is definitely important to research the companies that you are going to apply for and want to interview with. Don't waste your time researching companies that you have zero interest in.
  3. Bring lots of resumes to the job fair. If you have multiple interests or job objectives, make very sure you bring enough of each version of your resume. If you want to know how to write a resume see the wikiHow article on How to write a resume.
  4. It's always a good strategy to create a career portfolio. When you create your portfolio, include copies of your resume, a catalog of your references, and replicas of your best work.
  5. Wear appropriate clothing for job fairs because image and first impressions are very critical. It is always better to be overdressed, then underdressed.
  6. Create a strategy to use while you are at your job fair. It's always best to survey the layouts of the fair and determine the order of interviewing. It is always suggested that you interview with your top choices, then you interview with your other choices and lastly, returning to your top choices and thank them for their time. But remember, always stay flexible as your top choices can be the choice of many other citizens, creating long lineups that you could avoid.
  7. During your interview at the fair it is always a good strategy to create a one-minute speech that focuses on specific benefits that you could offer the specific company and use it at the very beginning of the interview. You should also practice answers to interview questions as you would any other job interview. Avoid all bad communication habits such as rocking, chewing gum, fidgeting and so on.
  8. Prepare for an interview at the job fair. If you didn't prepare for an interview with a specific company, it's always a good idea to listen in on several interviews so you can better prepare yourself.
  9. A common objective for job fairs is networking. You can network with fellow job seekers in terms of sharing job leads, companies and their recruiting styles and strategies. One good networking source are employment agencies, there are always at least one who attends job fairs.
  10. It is so important to follow-up on all your applications. When you do actually follow-up on your job apps, you will get an advantage over many others who do not. You can follow up by calling the actual recruiter and thanking them for his or her time or writing a thank you letter, in the letter, thank the recruiter for his or her time and restate you interest and qualifications for the interview, reiterate your interest with a second interview and make a promise to follow up even further with a telephone call. Enclose another copy of your resume just to be very sure.

Tips

  • When you talk to an employer, talk very calmly, do not mumble.
  • When you approach your potential employer: Make eye contact, offer a firm handshake and show lots of enthusiasm.
  • After you do an interview with an employer at a job fair always ask this question: "What is necessary for me to do to get a second interview with your company"

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